Special Operations.Com

France

RAID

Raid is a highly secretive group, formed in 1985, and appears to counter the general practice among elite counter-terrorist forces by recruiting direct from the public, rather than from already-  trained soldiers or police. The unit has a strength of 60: headquarters and support - 10; special task group (negotiators, EOD, etc) - 10; four assault teams - 10 each. The normal operational uniform is a black coverall and mask (hence their nickname "Black Panthers") and the operators are permitted to make personal selection of weaponry, either foreign or French. The selection tests are very severe and are followed by a nine-month training course and various other courses of instruction: for example, some become HAHO/HALO qualified or undertake maritime training with the Navy's Commandos - Marine. Every new-member follows: fast-driving course, mountain training, intense shooting course (each member shoots 300 cartridges per day), close-combat (a derivate of the Israeli "Krav Maga").

Web Sites

RAID - SpecWarNet.Com

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